Three-position electromagnetic valve



Aug. 10, 1965 R. G. THOMPSON 3,199,536

THREE-POSITION ELECTROMAGNETIC VALVE Filed Sept. 1. 1960 7 2 /N MFA/7'01? P/CHAQD 6 7710/14/30 United States Patent 3 199 536 THREE-EGSHZSN mi aines/murmur: VALVE Richazd G. Thompson, Stillwater, Minn, assignor to Union Twit Car Company, Chicago, Ill., a corporation of New Siersey 1 Filed Sept. 1, 1%9, Ser. No. 53,385 1 Claim. (Cl. 137-6ii9) This invention relates to valve structures and particularly to a three-position, multiple port, electromagnetic valve which is particularly, although not exclusively, adapted for use as a pilot valve for controlling the operation of a plurality of fiuid pressure responsive valves.

It is an object of my invention to provide simplified means for actuating a plurality of valves controlling how in a hydraulic system, comprising a three-position electromagnetic valve adapted to be energized under control of timing means through a predetermined cycle of operation.

A particular object is to provide in an automatic flow control system a master control consisting of a single multiple port, electromagnetic valve having a threeposition plunger disposed to control flow between the several ports and a pair of independently energizable coils included in suitable circuits whereby the plunger may be moved to and held in any selected operating position.

A further object is to provide for automatic water treatment apparatus of a type having a plurality of fluid pressure responsive valves and a timer, an improved master control comprising a multiple port, three-position, electromagnetic valve adapted to be energized under control of the timer to operate the treatment apparatus through a cycle of operation which includes regenerating for a predetermined period of time followed by backwashing for a predetermined time and return of the apparatus to normal water treatment operation.

Other objects will appear and be more fully pointed out in the following specification and claim.

Referring to the accompanying drawing which illustrates, by Way of example and not for the purpose of limitation, one embodiment of my invention:

FIGURE 1 shows one of my valves in vertical section and connected in a hydraulic system for Water treatment apparatus in which the several valves and certain other elements are shown schematically in vertical section;

FIG. 2 is a schematic wiring diagram showing a timer, switches and circuits for energizing the independently energizable coils of my improved valve;

PEG. 3 is a vertical sectional view showing my improved valve with the plunger in a second position; and

FIG. 4 is a sectional view of the valve with the plunger in a third position.

In the drawing, my improved three-position valve is indicated generally by the numeral 5. An internal chamher is formed by a tubular member 6 and end closures 7 and 3 suitably connected together and defining an axially disposed chamber having enlargements at each end of the member 6. End closure 7 is formed with a valve seat -9 defining a first port it and the end closure 3 has a valve seat 11 defining a second port 12. Movable longitudinally in the cylindrical member 6 and fitting loosely therein is a solenoid type plunger 13 having secured thereto at opposite ends heads 14 and 15. These heads are made of resilient rubber-like material adapted to close at the seats 9 and 11 respectively. Thus the plunger 13 is movable from the position in which the port 12 is closed and the port 1% is open (FIG. 1) or, selectively, to the position (FIG. 3) in which the head 14 is closed at the seat 9 and the head 15 is open in relation to the seat 11, or to the third position, shown in FIG. 4-, wherein the plunger is spaced from both of the seats 9 and 11.

, 3,199,536 Patented Aug. 19, 1955 "ice Electromagnetic coils 18 and 1.9 surround the tubular member 6 and are disposed end to end so that coil 18 surrounds the upper end portion of the member 6 and the coil 19 surrounds the lower end portion. Either the coil 18 or both of the coils may be energized by means of the circuitry shown in FIG. 2. The polarity of these coils, when energized, is indicated in FIGS. 3 and 4.

A restricted third port 16-which is smaller than port 12 communicates with the chamber at the upper end of the member 6 and a fourth port 17 communicates with the chamber at the lower end of the member 6. Thus the seat 9 is in the line of flow from the port 16 to the port 16 and from port 10 to port 12. The seat 11 is in the line of flow between the port 12 and the three ports 19, t6 and 17.

Referring to the wiring diagram (FIG 2), the coils 18, 19 arefenergizable through circuits which may include power supply lines 21 and 22 which extend through a timer 23 of conventional type adapted to start a regeneration cycle either manually or automatically. A branch circuit extends from the power line 22 and includes a timer actuated switch 24, a conductor 25, the coil 18 and a branch 26 of the power line 21. The circuit for energizing the coil 1? includes a timer actuated switch 27 connected to supply line 22, circuit conductors 28, the coil 19 and a branch 29 of the power supply line 21. Either alternating or direct current may be supplied through the power lines 21 and 22.

FIG. 1 of the drawing illustrates a specific application of my improved three-position valve when used as a master control for water treatment apparatus of the common water softenin type. The treatment apparatus shown, schematically, includes a water softener tank 33 containing ion exchange material, a brine tank 31 containing a supply of brine for regenerating the ion exchange material in tank 30, a'two-way main fluid pressure responsive valve 32 and normally closed fluid pressure responsive valves 33 and 34. Valve 33 is actuated to open position when reverse flow through the treatment tank is to be established for the backwash operation. Flow to waste or drain may be established when valve 34 is actuated to open position. Other elements of the treatment apparatus which are shown schematically include a brine injector 35, a check valve 36, a filter 37 and conduits defining the hydraulic circuit.

Water under pressure may be supplied to the system through a supply pipe 38, soft water may be discharged through a service pipe 39, and waste liquid may be discharged through a drain pipe 40 in which substantially atmospheric pressure is maintained by venting in conventional manner.

The main valve 32 has an inlet chamber 41 connected to the supply pipe 38, an outlet chamber 42 connected by a conduit 43 leading to the upper portion of the treatment tank 36, an outlet chamber 44 connected by a conduit 45 to the inlet end of the injector 35 and a valve member 45 which is movable selectively to place the inlet chamber 41 i in communication with the outlet chamber 42 or 44. A partition 47 separates the chamber 41 from the chamber 42 and is formed with a port 48 adapted to be closed by the member 46. Similarly the inlet chamber 41 is separated from the outlet chamber 44 by a partition 49 formed with a port 50 for flow from the chamber 41 to the chamber 44. A diaphragm 51 extends across the upper side of the chamber 42 and is operatively connected with the valve member 46 by a stern, being biased downwardly to normally retain the member 46 in closed relation to the port by a spring 52 contained in a chamber 53 at the upper side of the diaphragm 51.

Drain valve 34has a casing and flexible diaphragm 56 defining upper and lower chambers 54 and 55 which are separated by the diaphragm 56. Projecting into the lower chamber 55 is a valve seat '7 defining an outlet port 58 in continuous communication with the drain pipe 40. A valve member 59, preferably constructed from resilient, elastic material is secured to the lower side of the diaphragm 56 and is disposed to close the port 58 at the seat 57. To bias the diaphragm 56 and valve member 59 toward open position, a light spring 53a is mounted in the chamber 55 in contact with the lower side of the diaphragm. A second port 60 communicates with the chamber 55 and is connected to the upper portion of the tank 38 by a conduit 61 branching from the conduit 43. Conduit 62 connects the port 12 at the lower end of the valve 5 to the drain pipe 40, and port 17 of the valve 5 is connected by a conduit 63 to the chamber 54. A branch 64 of the conduit 61 communicates with the chamber 53 of the valve 32. A flow restriction device 61a is interposed in the conduit 61 in order to cause a pressure drop in chamber 53 when drain valve 34 is open.

Backwash control valve 33 has a flexible diaphragm 65 separating an upper chamber 66 from a lower chamber 67. A valve seat 68 defines a port communicating with the chamber 67 and a valve closure member 69 of conical shape is secured to the diaphragm 65 and disposed to close the port at the seat 68 when pressure in the chamber 66 exceeds that in the conduit 72. A second port 70 communicates with the chamber 67 and is connected by a conduit 71 to the chamber 44 of valve 32. From the port defined by the seat 68 a conduit 72 extends to and communicates with the lower portion of the treatment tank 30. A branch 73 of the conduit 72 connects the latter with the lower end of the injector 35 and a branch 74 of the conduit 73 connects the latter with the service pipe 39, the check valve 36 being interposed in the conduit 74.

Brine is supplied to a suction chamber 75 of the injector 35 through a conduit 76 extending to the brine tank 31. As indicated, the injector 35 has a suitable nozzle 77 and a venturi outlet whereby flow from the conduit 45 through the nozzle 77 and thence to the outlet and conduit 73 causes brine to be drawn from the conduit 76 into the chamber 75 and to be discharged with the injector water through conduits 73 and 72 into the lower portion of the treatment tank 30. A conduit 78 connects the port of the valve 5 to the upper chamber 66 of valve 33. Timing 'mechanism of the type described in the application of B. H. Kryzer, Serial No. 744,577, now Patent No. 2,999,- 514 granted September 12, 1961, may be used to selectively energize the solenoid coils 18 and 19.

In operation, during water softening the coils 18 and 19 of the valve 5 are deenergized and, as indicated in FIG. 1, plunger 13 is closed at the seat 11 and open at the seat 9. Water under pressure fills the chamber defined by the tubular member 6 and closures 7 and 8, being in communication through the filter 37 with the supply pipe 38. The plunger 13 is thus held by gravity and a light spring 13a on the seat 11, closing port 12 and opening port 10. The pressure is communicated past the plunger 13, through the conduit 63 to the chamber 54 where the diaphragm 56 is forced down to close the valve member 59 at the seat 57. The fluid pressure is also transmitted through the port 10 and conduit 78 to chamber 66 of the valve 33 so that the diaphragm 65 is forced down and causes the valve member 69 to close the port 68.

Now the spring 52 holds the valve 32 in the position indicated in FIG. 1 with its member 46 closed at the port 50 and open at the port 48. Thus hard water entering through the supply pipe 38 and chamber 41 flows through port 48, chamber 42 and conduit 43 to the upper portion of the treatment tank 30. Downward flow through the ion exchange material in tank 30 causes the water to be the circuit through the solenoid coil 18 for a period of time determined by the timer. Upon the energization of the coil 18, the plunger 13 of the valve 5 is drawn up from its position shown in FIG. 1 to the position shown in FIG. 3 wherein the head 14 closes port 10 at seat 9, while the head 15 at the lower end of the plunger is moved to open position in relation to the seat 11. Thereupon water flows through the filter 37, passes along the plunger 13 to the port 12, and out through conduit 62 to drain pipe 40. This reduces pressure above the diaphragm 56 so that it moves member 59 to open at seat 57. Low pressure from the drain pipe 40 is now established in conduits 61 and 64 and in the chamber 53 of valve 32. As a result, diaphragm 51 is raised under the pressure exerted at its lower side and the valve member 46 is actuated to close at the port 48 and open at the port 50. Water now flows from the supply pipe 38 through chamber 41, port 50, chamber 44, and conduit 45 into the injector 35 wherein the reduced pressure in the suction chamber draws brine from the tank 31 through the conduit 76.

Mixed water and brine now flows from the outlet of the injector 35 through the conduits 73 and 72 into the lower portion of the treatment tank 39 and then upwardly through the ion exchange material and out through the conduits 43 and 61, chamber 55 and drain pipe 40. During this regenerating operation, the pressure in the chamber 66 of the valve 33 retains member 69 on its seat 68. Regeneration continues until a predetermined quantity of brine has been drawn from the brine tank 31 under control of a brine valve of suitable type (not shown) in the tank 31.

At the end of the predetermined regenerating period, as determined by the timer 23, switch 27 is closed by the timing mechanism, so that the coil 19 is energized by current flowing in the circuit including supply line 22, switch 27, conductor 28, coil 19, conductor 29 and line 21. Timer switch 24 also remains closed to energize the coil 18. As a result of the energization of both coils 18 and 19, the plunger 13 is moved to its central position wherein it is spaced from both of the seats 9 and 11. Low pressure in the drain pipe 40 is now communicated through the conduit 62, port 12, plunger chamber, part 10, conduit 78, to chamber 66 above the diaphragm 65, thereby causing this diaphragm to be actuated by the pressure in the chamber 67 to open member 69 in relation to its seat 68.

Opening of the valve 33 starts the backwash operation during which water from the supply line 38 passes through the chamber 41, port 59, chamber 44, conduit 71, chamber 67 and conduit 72 into the lower portion of the treatment tank 30. From the upper portion of this tank the wash water passes through the conduits 43,61, chamber 55, and port 58 to drain pipe 49. At the end of a predetermined backwash period, as determined by the timer 23, switches 24 and 27 may be returned to open position so that the coils 18 and 19 are denergized and the plunger 13 returns to its water softening position indicated in FIG. 1. Line pressure is thereupon built up in the chamber 54 and 66 of valves 34 and 33 respectively and in chamber valve member 46 to its position shown in FIG. 1.

By suitable modification of the timer, the switch 27 may be caused to open a few minutes prior to the opening of the switch 24 so that the lower coil 19 is dcenergized before the upper coil 18 is deenergized. This would cause the plunger 13 to move up to close port 10, leaving port 12 open. By closing port 10 the backwash valve 33 is prevented from closing and flow through this valve causes the pressure in the flow system to be restored rapidly. This is advantageous for the reason that restoration of line pressure in chamber 53 is depended on to actuate the diaphragm of valve 32 and valve member 46 to close the port 56. When water is being drawn from the service pipe 39 at a service outlet there is a tendency to reduce the pressure in the entire system to a point where the valve member 46 will be retained in its regenerating position in the absence of the increased flow from the supply pipe atforded by the by-pass through backwash valve 33. This is more fully described in the application of B. H. Kryzer, Serial No. 744,577 for Controls for Fluid Treatment Apparatus, now Patent No. 2,299,514, granted September 12, 1961.

With either method of operation the coils 18 and 19 are merely deenergized to cause the plunger 13 to fall to the water softening position and to efiect the closing of the backwash valve 33 and waste valve 34, as well as the return of valve member 46 of the valve 32 to the water softening position in which the port 48 is open and the port 40 is closed.

By providing a single master pilot valve for controlling the operation of the fluid pressure responsive main valve 32, backwash valve 33 and drain valve 34, I simplify and reduce the cost of automatic controls and also provide reliable electromagnetic controls which utilize a minimum of electrical power during the periods when one or more of the magnetic coils are energized.

I claim:

In combination, a three-position electromagnetic valve comprising a tubular member and end closures for said member defining an elongated chamber, said end closures having opposed valve seats disposed at opposite ends of said chamber respectively defining first and second ports, one of said end closures having a third port communicating with an end of said chamber at all times, said third port being restricted relative to said first port and being adapted for connection to a high pressure source, said second port being adapted for connection with a low pressure region, and the other end closure having a fourth port communicating with the other end of said chamber open at all times, an elongated solenoid armature plunger movable longitudinally in said chamber, having heads at opposite ends disposed to selectively close said first port while opening said second port and to close said second port While opening said first port; first and second independently energized coils surrounding said chamber, the polarity of said first coil being such as to actuate said plunger to close said first port and open said second port, and the polarity of said second coil being such that when both coils are energized the heads on the plunger are held in open relation to said first and second valve seats; means for selectively energizing and deenergizing said coils whereby said plunger may be selectively set in any of the three positions in relation to said first and second ports; and first and second independently operable pressure responsive valves of the type having a fluid pressure motor with an operating pressure chamber which when subjected to high pressure maintains said valves in closed position and when vented permits opening of said valves by force exerted on the fluid pressure motor opposite the operating pressure chamber, the operating chambers of said pressure responsive valves being connected respectively to said first and fourth ports of the electromagnetic valve.

References Cited by the Examiner UNITED STATES PATENTS Re. 23,076 l/49 Pick 210-491 XR 2,089,279 8/37 Loeifier 251--137 2,596,915 5/52 Pick l37624.18 XR 2,637,341 5/53 Borst 251-30 XR 2,744,867 5/56 Webb 2l0190 XR 2,757,067 7/56 Cornell 137-62418 XR 2,768,640 10/56 Zimmer et al 251-l37 XR 2,800,143 7/ 57 Keller 137625.63 2,875,780 3/59 Martin 251-139 XR 2,882,006 4/59 Reinecke 25130 XR 2,886,063 5/59 Ray 137625.5 XR 2,999,514 9/61 Kryser 210138 XR 3,044,626 7/62 Rose 210-191 XR WILLIAM F. ODEA, Primary Examiner.

ISADOR WEIL, HERBERT L. MARTIN, Examiners. 

